Ford has chosen this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans for the European debut of the Mustang GTD – and to reveal more information about its ultimate pony car.
Conceived to allow Ford to enter the Mustang in the GT3 racing category at Le Mans, the road-going GTD promises an extreme driving experience.
Intriguingly, Ford will also start accepting expressions of interest for the 800hp Mustang from European enthusiasts.
Fastest pony in the stable
Although the GTD looks relatively similar to other models in the latest Mustang range, beneath the skin it is very different.
Not simply another modified muscle car, the Mustang GTD is closer in concept to supercars such as the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. As such, it is a true homologation special – developed with Ford’s racing partner, Multimatic.
Beneath the carbon fibre bonnet is a supercharged 5.2-litre V8 that produces more than 800hp. This is connected to the rear wheels by an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with titanium paddle shifters.
The trick suspension includes Multimatic’s DSSV spool valve dampers, with motorsport-style coilover springs occupying space in the boot. For the first time on a Mustang, there is a nose lift option to help negotiate speed humps.
Ready for the ‘Ring
Want even more? An optional new Performance Pack helps the Mustang GTD target a sub-seven-minute lap of the fearsome Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit.
It includes a deep front splitter, underbody flaps, extra dive planes and a Formula One-style Drag Reduction System (DRS) for the gigantic rear wing. Active aerodynamics are used to boost the GTD’s top speed.
The Performance Pack also includes 20-inch magnesium alloy wheels, along with the removal of sound deadening to save weight.
Greg Goodall, chief engineer for the Mustang GTD, said: “From the lightweight carbon fibre body on every GTD to the active aerodynamics of the Performance package, we’ve learned from motorsport how to make the Mustang GTD excel everywhere – all in the quest for a sub-seven-minute lap of the Nurburgring”.
Supercar power and pricing
The GTD Performance Pack has a flat-bottomed steering wheel, trimmed in Dinamica, with buttons to adjust the suspension settings and alter the exhaust mode.
Buyers will have a choice of six colours, including the dramatic Chroma Flair red shown here. A Carbon Series option leaves the body panels unpainted to show-off the carbon fibre construction.
Ford has been coy about prices for the Mustang GTD, but North American buyers are expecting to pay in the region of $325,000 (£254,000). However, this did not stop more than 7,500 enthusiasts applying to own one.
European customers can register their interest via a dedicated website.